Chapter 28
Long ago, I might have once mentioned my views on being wrong about anything.I’ve rarely admitted it and even if I were in the wrong, I cannot recall ever regretting it even so.
Well, today, I was ever so wrong about something.I thought I could thumb my nose at the world without consequence.Today I’ve realized just what those consequences might be...and it would not be worth it.
~From the Diary of Lady Fiona MacKintosh—May 1895
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Fiona stared at thethug at the end of the alley, torn between the mortification of knowing her passionate exchange with Harry had been witnessed and the alarm the sight of her pursuer inspired.Short but thick and muscular, he held a knife in one hand and a short cudgel in the other.Luckily, he appeared to be alone.The brutes must have split up to look for them.Looking around, she searched for a weapon or an escape.
“Oi, yer not goin’ to run from ol’ Crumpky again, are ye poppet?”
“Mr.Crumpky, really,” she said coolly, crossing her arms over her chest.“Of course, we intend to run.”
Next to her, Aylesbury made a choking sound that might have been incredulity or laughter.
“Stay back, Fiona,” he murmured, holding his arm in front of her as if the barrier might protect or restrain her.“I’ll take care of this.”
She blinked in astonishment.“You can’t think to fight him!He’s armed.What are you going to do?Throw you’re A-levels at him?”
He grinned at that.“Do you think that would work?”
“Humph!Now, who’s enjoying themselves?”she muttered, but he was already sauntering toward their assailant, his empty hands held out slightly from his sides.Had she truly missed the devil-may-care side of him?
“Crumpky, is it?”Aylesbury drawled.“Tsk, tsk, what an unfortunate name.Well, Crumpky, old chap, we’re at a bit of an impasse here, are we not?”
“An impasse?”Crumpky tested the word.“Wot’s that?”
“A standoff.A stalemate, if you will.You see, I cannot allow my fiancée to be dragged out of an alleyway.”The marquis wandered closer.“And yet you want to drag her away.You do know you would have to?She isn’t one to go quietly.”
“All ready noted, gov.Bloodied my nose, she did.”
“Then why not let us pass?”Aylesbury asked amiably, still sauntering closer.“You return to your band of merry men.Pretend you didn’t see us.You’ll never get a cent from her in any case.”
“Sorry, gov,” Crumpky said, rotating the cudgel in his hand.“I ain’t lookin’ to ’er for me nickel.Now stay back there.”
